MOSCOW (VNS) —Việt Nam’s Minister of National Defence, General Ngô Xuân Lịch and his Russian counterpart General Sergey Shoigu emphasised the need for the two countries to realise defence co-operation agreements they have reached while increasing mutual support at international forums.

During their talks in Moscow on Monday, the two ministers said co-operation in military training plays a key role in bilateral ties, adding that many Vietnamese officers are studying in Russia.

The Russian side said they are considering sending officers to Việt Nam for training.

They affirmed their resolve to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Shoigu appreciated Lịch’s first visit to Russia in his capacity as the Vietnamese Defence Minister, stressing that Russia regards Việt Nam as an important partner.
Russia is willing to enhance its collaboration with Việt Nam in national defence, he noted.

Lịch said Việt Nam considers Russia a close friend and places bilateral ties among its top foreign policy priorities.

Việt Nam always remembers the support of the Government and people of the former Soviet Union, including present-day Russia, in the country’s struggle for independence as well in national construction.
Việt Nam will continue cooperating with Russia to meet the interests of the two countries’ people and contribute to peace and stability in each region, he said.

The minister reiterated Việt Nam’s stance on disputes in the South China Sea (East Sea), which, he said, should be settled by peaceful measures and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and towards reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
Lịch used the occasion to invite his Russian counterpart to visit Việt Nam at a suitable time. Shoigu accepted the invitation with pleasure.

On Sunday, Minister Lịch paid floral tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh at his statue in Moscow and visited the Vietnamese Military Attache Office in Russia. —VNS